CARS - EARLY SIXTIES
	The Mini
	CARS | POSTWAR | LATE 50s | EARLY 60s | LATE 60s

The Mini The Suez Crisis in 1956 resulted in a fuel shortage in Europe. Car manufacturers in Europe, and elsewhere, tried to produce small, economical town cars. Their efforts ranged from BMW's Isetta motor bike in a bubble to Australia's abysmal Lightburn Zeta. Looking at some of its competitors, it's no wonder the British Motors Mini took the world by storm. Initially launched as the Morris Mini-Minor and Austin Seven, the Mini included radical design features to achieve its goal of being the smallest car capable of carrying four adults. Some of these, like mounting the engine across the car, have become industry standards. Other ways of saving space included having sliding windows (to save the space taken up by winders), rubber suspension (because springs compress over a greater distance) and no provision for a radio.   Mini items now available: Click on an item to view details and, if you wish, bid. Note: One AU$ is worth between US$0.65 and US$0.80. Click here for the current exchange rate

See also

• Holden EH, HD & HR

• Ford Falcon

• Ford Cortina

• Chrysler Valiant
• British Motors
• Classic Coupes
   
• Cars of the Postwar Period
• Cars of the Late Fifties
• Cars of the Late Sixties & Early Seventies
   

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